The elder son of AFL Hall of Fame member and Geelong great Gary Ablett, Sr., Ablett Junior was drafted to the AFL under the father-son rule and began his career in his father's shadow, however he has since established himself as one of the game's greats in his own right.

He has also become a great of the Geelong Football Club, being inducted into the club's Hall of Fame and awarded life membership while still playing, winning two Carji Greeves Medals as Geelong's best and fairest player and led the club's goalkicking.